Display panel and lcd panel and lcd apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

This application provides a display panel and an LCD panel and an LCD apparatus using the same. The display panel comprises a first substrate; a plurality of pixel units, formed on the first substrate; a protective layer, formed on the first substrate, and a transparent electrode layer formed on the protective layer, wherein the protective layer has different thicknesses in each of the pixel units so that a plurality of transparent regions are formed in each of the pixel units.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This application relates to a display panel and an LCD panel and an LCDapparatus using the same, and in particular, to a display panel having aprotective layer with different thicknesses and an LCD panel and an LCDapparatus using the same.

Related Art

In recent years, with the development of science and technologies,various display panels, for example, liquid crystal displays (LCD) orelectroluminescence (EL) display devices have been widely applied toflat panel displays. The LCD is used as an example. Most LCDs arebacklight LCDs including an LCD panel and a backlight module. The LCDpanel includes two transparent substrates and liquid crystals sealedbetween the substrates.

The LCD panel usually includes a color filter (CF), a thin filmtransistor array substrate (TFT Array Substrate), and a liquid crystallayer (LC Layer) disposed between the two substrates. A workingprinciple is controlling rotation of liquid crystal molecules of the LClayer by applying a drive voltage to the two glass substrates, so as torefract light from the backlight module to generate an image.

An LCD of a vertical alignment (VA) mode includes, for example, apatterned vertical alignment (PVA) LCD or a multi-domain verticalalignment (MVA) LCD device. The PVA LCD achieves a wide-angle view byusing a fringing field effect and a compensation plate. The MVA LCDdevice divides one pixel into a plurality of regions, and makes, byusing a protrusion or a particular pattern structure, liquid crystalmolecules in different regions tilt towards different directions, toachieve a wide-angle view and improve a penetration rate.

In an MVA mode, a current mainstream is mostly dividing a pixel regioninto a bright region and a dark region. Therefore, two types of V-Tfeatures may be mixed in optical representation. In addition, an arearatio of the bright region to the dark region is properly adjusted.Therefore, a problem of grayscale washout under a large visual angle canbe effectively suppressed.

SUMMARY

To resolve the foregoing technical problem, an objective of thisapplication is to provide a display panel having a protective layer withdifferent thicknesses, and an LCD panel and an LCD apparatus using thesame to resolve a color shift problem of a display panel. In addition,an opening rate of a pixel design may be effectively increased.

One of objectives of this application is to provide a display panel,comprising:

a first substrate;

a plurality of pixel units, formed on the first substrate;

a protective layer, formed on the first substrate, wherein theprotective layer has different thicknesses in each of the pixel units sothat at least two transparent regions having different thicknesses areformed in each of the pixel units; and

a transparent electrode layer, formed on the transparent regions havingdifferent thicknesses of the protective layer.

In some embodiments, the protective layer has a first thickness and asecond thickness, and a thickness difference between the first thicknessand the second thickness is equal to or greater than 1 um.

In some embodiments, each of the pixel units has a plurality of regionswith different penetration rates.

In some embodiments, each of the pixel units comprises a firsttransparent region comprising four main transparent regions, a secondtransparent region comprising four secondary transparent regions, and athird transparent region comprising four tertiary transparent regions.

In some embodiments, the plurality of regions with different penetrationrates are classified into at least three types of topography depths withdifferent gradients and a pixel structure of the plurality of regions isdivided into an inner-layer rhombus, a middle-layer rhombus, and anouter-layer triangle according to the at least three types of topographydepths with different gradients, the plurality of regions are covered bythe transparent electrode layer, and a slit design is reserved on thetransparent electrode layer.

In some embodiments, the plurality of regions with different penetrationrates are classified into at least three types of topography depths withdifferent gradients and a pixel structure of the plurality of regions isdivided into an inner-layer rectangle, a middle-layer rectangle, and anouter-layer rectangle according to the at least three types oftopography depths with different gradients, the plurality of regions arecovered by the transparent electrode layer, and a slit design isreserved on the transparent electrode layer.

In some embodiments, the protective layer has an exposed region exposingthe first substrate, and a part of the transparent electrode layer isforming in the exposed region.

One of the objectives of this application is to provide an LCD panel,comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate;

an LC layer formed between the two substrates;

a plurality of pixel units, formed on the first substrate;

a protective layer, formed on the first substrate, wherein theprotective layer has different thicknesses in each of the pixel units sothat at least two transparent regions having different thicknesses areformed in each of the pixel units and each of the pixel units has aplurality of regions with different penetration rates; and

a transparent electrode layer, formed on the transparent regions havingdifferent thicknesses of the protective layer;

wherein the protective layer has a first thickness and a secondthickness, and a thickness difference between the first thickness andthe second thickness is equal to or greater than 1 um;

wherein the plurality of regions with different penetration rates areclassified into at least three types of topography depths with differentgradients and the plurality of regions are covered by the transparentelectrode layer, and a slit design is reserved on the transparentelectrode layer;

wherein the protective layer has an exposed region exposing the firstsubstrate, and a part of the transparent electrode layer is formed inthe exposed region;

wherein the LC layer formed between the two substrates has at leastthree types of optical path differences.

In an embodiment of this application, the display apparatus furthercomprises an active switch, used to drive an entire pixel unit.

Another objective of this application is to provide an LCD apparatus,comprising:

a backlight module; and

a display panel, comprising, a first substrate;

a plurality of pixel units, formed on the first substrate;

a protective layer, formed on the first substrate, wherein theprotective layer has different thicknesses in each of the pixel units sothat at least two transparent regions having different thicknesses areformed in each of the pixel units; and

-   -   a transparent electrode layer, formed on the transparent regions        having different thicknesses of the protective layer.

By means of this application, a color shift problem of an LCD panel canbe effectively resolved, and a color washout under a large visual anglecan be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a shows penetration rate-grayscale value curves corresponding tocolor shift angles when a vertical alignment LCD device is viewed at a0° visual angle, a 45° visual angle, and a 60° visual angle according toan embodiment of this application;

FIG. 1b shows brightness-grayscale curves corresponding to mixture oftwo color shift angles for improvement according to an embodiment ofthis application;

FIG. 2 shows models of mixing low color shift regions according to anembodiment of this application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an LCD panel according to an embodimentof this application;

FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram of 12 pixel regions of a pixel structureof an LCD panel according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 3b shows optical path differences between three types of LC layersof a pixel structure of an LCD panel according to an embodiment of thisapplication;

FIG. 4a shows three types of gamma curves illustrated by usingpenetration rate-voltage curves according to an embodiment of thisapplication;

FIG. 4b shows three types of gamma curves illustrated by usingpenetration rate-grayscale value curves according to an embodiment ofthis application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a pixel structure manufactured by usinga half-tone process and having a surface with gradients according to anembodiment of this application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of 12 regions formed by using three typesof optical path differences according to an embodiment of thisapplication; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a mask and a protective layer accordingto an embodiment of this application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference accompanying drawings are described in the followingembodiments, and are used to show particular embodiments that thisapplication is applicable to for implementation. Direction termsmentioned in this application, for example, “up”, “down”, “front”,“rear”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, and “side”, are merelydirections in the reference accompanying drawings. Therefore, the useddirection terms are used to describe and understand this application,but not intended to limit this application.

The accompanying drawings and the specification are essentiallyexemplary instead of restrictive. In the drawings, units having similarstructures are represented by same numbers. In addition, for ease ofunderstanding and description, the size and thickness of each componentshown in the accompanying drawings are random. However, this applicationis not limited thereto.

In the accompanying drawings, for the purpose of clearness, thethicknesses of a layer, a film, a panel, a region, and the like areexaggerated. In the accompanying drawings, for ease of understanding anddescription, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated.It should be understood that when a component of, for example, a layer,a film, a region, or a base is referred to as “on” another component,the component may be directly on the another component, or there may bean intermediate component.

In addition, in the specification, unless explicitly described to thecontrary, the term “include” is understood as including the componentbut not to exclude any other components. Moreover, in the specification,“on” means above or under a target component, but does not necessarilymean on the top based on the direction of gravity.

To further describe the technical measures and functions used in thisapplication to achieve the predetermined invention objectives, specificimplementations, structures, features, and functions of a display paneland an LCD panel to which the display panel is applied that are providedin this application are described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

A display panel in this application may include: a first substrate; aplurality of pixel units, formed on the first substrate; a protectivelayer, formed on the first substrate, where the protective layer hasdifferent thicknesses in each of the pixel units, and accordingly atleast two transparent layers having different thicknesses are formed ineach of the pixel units; and a transparent electrode layer, formed onthe transparent layers having different thicknesses of the protectivelayer.

An LCD apparatus using the display panel in this application may includea backlight module and an LCD panel. The LCD panel may include: a TFTsubstrate, a CF substrate, and an LC layer formed between the twosubstrates.

In an embodiment, the LCD panel in this application may be acurved-surface display panel, and the LCD apparatus in this applicationmay be a curved-surface display apparatus.

In an embodiment, a TFT and a CF in this application may be formed on asame substrate.

FIG. 1a shows penetration rate-grayscale value curves corresponding tocolor shift angles when a vertical alignment LCD device is viewed at a0° visual angle, a 45° visual angle, and a 60° visual angle. Referringto FIG. 1a , the 0° color shift visual angle corresponds to apenetration rate-grayscale value curve 110, the 45° color shift visualangle corresponds to a penetration rate-grayscale value curve 120, andthe 60° color shift visual angle corresponds to a penetrationrate-grayscale value curve 130. Therefore, a larger color shift visualangle indicates a higher brightness penetration rate for a samegrayscale value.

FIG. 1b shows brightness-grayscale curves corresponding to mixture oftwo color shift angles for improvement. Referring to FIG. 1b , in an MVAmode, a pixel region may be divided into a bright region and a darkregion. Therefore, two types of V-T features may be mixed in opticalrepresentation. In addition, an area ratio of the bright region to thedark region is properly adjusted. Therefore, a problem of grayscalewashout can be effectively suppressed. Bright-region pixels 140 anddark-region pixels 150 are mixed into pixels 160 in abrightness-grayscale figure.

FIG. 2 shows models of mixing low color shift regions. Referring to FIG.2, a main principle of a common low color shift technology is dividingconventional four regions into eight regions by means of voltagedivision or an extra drive. Therefore, an effect of multi-rangecompensation is achieved under a large visual angle. For example, a sublow color shift region 210 and a main low color shift region 220 aremixed into a low color shift region 200.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an LCD panel 30 according to anembodiment of this application. FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram of 12pixel regions of a pixel structure of an LCD panel according to anembodiment of this application. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 3a , in anembodiment of this application, the LCD panel 30 includes: a firstsubstrate 301 (for example, a TFT substrate); a second substrate 302(for example, a CF substrate), disposed opposite to the first substrate301; and an LC layer 303, disposed between the first substrate 301 andthe second substrate 302. In addition, the LCD panel 30 further includesa pixel structure for improving color shift, disposed between the firstsubstrate and the second substrate (for example, on a surface of thefirst substrate); and a plurality of pixel units 300. The pixel unit 300includes three regions: a first transparent region 310, a secondtransparent region 320, and a third transparent region 330, and effectsof pixel transparent regions in the pixel unit 300 are distinguishedaccording to different optical path differences and a particular arearatio. The pixel unit 300 is disposed between the first substrate 301and the second substrate 302. The LCD panel 30 further includes a firstpolarizer 306 disposed on an outer surface of the first substrate 301and a second polarizer 307 disposed on an outer surface of the secondsubstrate 302. Polarization directions of the first polarizer 306 andthe second polarizer 307 are parallel to each other.

In an embodiment of this application, a display apparatus in thisapplication includes a backlight module, and an LCD panel 30 including:a first substrate 301 (for example, a TFT substrate); a second substrate302 (for example, a CF substrate), disposed opposite to the firstsubstrate 301; and an LC layer 303, disposed between the first substrate301 and the second substrate 302. In addition, the display apparatusfurther includes: a pixel structure of the LCD panel, disposed on thefirst substrate and the second substrate (for example, on a surface ofthe first substrate); and a plurality of pixel units 300. The pixel unit300 includes three regions: a first transparent region 310, a secondtransparent region 320, and a third transparent region 330, and effectsof pixel transparent regions in the pixel unit 300 are distinguishedaccording to different optical path differences and a particular arearatio. The pixel unit 300 is disposed between the first substrate 301and the second substrate 302. The display apparatus further includes afirst polarizer 306 disposed on an outer surface of the first substrate301 and a second polarizer 307 disposed on an outer surface of thesecond substrate 302. Polarization directions of the first polarizer 306and the second polarizer 307 are parallel to each other.

In this embodiment of this application, each of the pixel units 300 mayhave a plurality of regions with different penetration rates.

Referring to FIG. 3a , in an embodiment of this application, the pixelstructure includes the pixel units 300. The pixel unit 300 includes thethree regions: the first transparent region 310 (including four maintransparent regions 312, 314, 316, and 318), the second transparentregion 320 (including four secondary transparent regions 322, 324, 326,and 328), and the third transparent region 330 (including four tertiarytransparent regions 332, 334, 336, and 338). Effects of pixeltransparent regions distinguished according to different depths and aparticular area ratio.

FIG. 3b shows optical path differences between three types of LC layersof a pixel structure of an LCD panel according to an embodiment of thisapplication. In an embodiment of this application, the pixel unit 300may equivalently divide pixels into 12 regions by using an optical pathdifference And (including three optical path differences 340, 350, and360) and factors such as different gradients.

FIG. 4a shows three types of gamma curves illustrated by usingpenetration rate-voltage curves according to an embodiment of thisapplication. Referring to FIG. 4a , a 3.6 μm LC layer cell gapcorresponds to a penetration rate-voltage value curve 410, a 3.9 μm LClayer cell gap corresponds to a penetration rate-voltage value curve420, and a 4.2 μm LC layer cell gap corresponds to a penetrationrate-voltage value curve 430.

FIG. 4b shows three types of gamma curves illustrated by usingpenetration rate-grayscale value curves according to an embodiment ofthis application. Referring to FIG. 4a , a 3.6 μm LC layer cell gapcorresponds to a penetration rate-grayscale value curve 410, a 3.9 μm LClayer cell gap corresponds to a penetration rate-grayscale value curve420, and a 4.2 μm LC layer cell gap corresponds to a penetrationrate-grayscale value curve 430.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a pixel structure manufactured by usinga half-tone process and having a surface with gradients according tothis application. Referring to FIG. 5, in an embodiment of thisapplication, an etching process of the protective layer is changed byusing a half-tone process. In addition, a pixel distinguishing effect isachieved by using topographies with different gradients in a liquidcrystal box. Therefore, a conventionally used voltage division manner isreplaced. For example, a first substrate has a four-layer structure,including: a transparent substrate (SB) layer 510, a protective(Passivation) layer 520, a photoresist (PR) material layer 530, and atransparent electrode layer 550 (for example, indium tin oxide, ITO). Afilm-forming step, an exposing step, a developing step, an etching step,and a film-stripping step are required. This procedure needs to berepeated for five times before a substrate is completed. In thefilm-forming step, a thin film of a required material (the protectivelayer 520, the light resistance material layer 530, and the transparentelectrode layer 550) is extended on the transparent substrate (SB) layer510. In the exposing step, a required pattern of a light resistor 530 isdeveloped on the light resistor 530 by using a mask 540. In thedeveloping step, a part of the light resistor 530 on the pattern of thelight resistor 530 in the previous stage is reserved. In the etchingstep, a required pattern is etched on the substrate 510 having thepattern of the light resistor 530. In the film-stripping step, the lightresistor 530 covering the pattern is removed from the substrate 510after the required pattern has been etched thereon, and a subsequentprocess is performed. Therefore, the protective layer 520 may havedifferent thicknesses, so that at least two transparent layers (ortransparent regions) having different thicknesses are formed in each ofthe pixel units.

As shown in FIG. 5, the method for manufacturing a display panel in thisapplication may include the following steps:

providing a first substrate 510, where the first substrate has aplurality of pixel units 300;

forming a protective layer 520 on the first substrate 510;

patterning the protective layer 520, so that the protective layer 520has different thicknesses, and at least two transparent regions havingdifferent thicknesses are formed in each of the pixel units 300; and

forming a transparent electrode layer 550 on the patterned protectivelayer.

In some embodiments, after the transparent electrode layer 550 isformed, the transparent electrode layer 550 may be patterned, so thatthe patterned transparent electrode layer 550 has a slit design.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the protective layer 520 has afirst thickness and a second thickness, and a thickness differencebetween the first thickness and the second thickness is equal to orgreater than 1 um.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the patterned protective layer520 may have an exposed region exposing the first substrate 510, and apart of the transparent electrode layer 550 is formed in the exposedregion.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of 12 regions formed by using three typesof optical path differences according to an embodiment of thisapplication. Referring to FIG. 6, in an embodiment of this application,the 12 pixel regions are classified into three types of topographydepths with different gradients. A pixel structure of the 12 pixelregions is divided into an inner-layer rhombus 310, a middle-layerrhombus 320, and an outer-layer triangle 330 according to the threetypes of topography depths with different gradients, the 12 pixelregions are covered by the transparent electrode layer, and a slitdesign is reserved on the transparent electrode layer.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a protective layer 620 according to anembodiment of this application. Referring to FIG. 7, in an embodiment ofthis application, the protective layer 620 may have at least threedifferent thicknesses, such as four different thicknesses. Thetransparent electrode layer 550 may be formed on the protective layer620 having different thicknesses so that more transparent regions(optical path differences) may be formed.

In an embodiment of this application, the 12 pixel regions areclassified into three types of topography depths with differentgradients. A pixel structure of 12 pixel regions is divided into aninner-layer rectangle, a middle-layer rectangle, and an outer-layerrectangle (370, 380, and 390) according to the three types of topographydepths with different gradients, the 12 pixel regions are covered by thetransparent electrode layer, and a slit design is reserved on thetransparent electrode layer.

In this embodiment of this application, by designing a protective layerwith different thicknesses, in each of the pixel units 300, overallpixels may be driven by using only one active switch (for example, aTFT), and an opening rate of a pixel design is increased.

A beneficial effect of this application is that a color shift problem ofan LCD panel can be effectively resolved, and a color washout under alarge visual angle can be improved.

“In some embodiments”, “in various embodiments”, and the like arerepeatedly used. They usually do not refer to a same embodiment; butthey may refer to a same embodiment. Terms such as “contain”, “have”,and “include” are synonyms, unless the context requires otherwise.

Descriptions above are merely preferred embodiments of this application,and are not intended to limit this application. Although thisapplication has been disclosed above in forms of preferred embodiments,the embodiments are not intended to limit this application. A personskilled in the art can make some equivalent variations, alterations ormodifications to the above disclosed technical content without departingfrom the scope of the technical solutions of the above disclosedtechnical content to obtain equivalent embodiments. Any simplealteration, equivalent change or modification made to the foregoingembodiments according to the technical essence of this applicationwithout departing from the content of the technical solutions of thisapplication shall fall within the scope of the technical solutions ofthis application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display panel, comprising: a first substrate; aplurality of pixel units, formed on the first substrate; a protectivelayer, formed on the first substrate, wherein the protective layer hasdifferent thicknesses in each of the pixel units so that at least twotransparent regions having different thicknesses are formed in each ofthe pixel unit; and a transparent electrode layer, formed on thetransparent regions having different thicknesses of the protectivelayer.
 2. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein the protectivelayer has a first thickness and a second thickness, and a thicknessdifference between the first thickness and the second thickness is equalto or greater than 1 um.
 3. The display panel according to claim 1,wherein each of the pixel units has a plurality of regions withdifferent penetration rates.
 4. The display panel according to claim 1,wherein each of the pixel units comprises a first transparent regioncomprising four main transparent regions, a second transparent regioncomprising four secondary transparent regions, and a third transparentregion comprising four tertiary transparent regions.
 5. The displaypanel according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of regions withdifferent penetration rates are classified into at least three types oftopography depths with different gradients and a pixel structure of theplurality of regions is divided into an inner-layer rhombus, amiddle-layer rhombus, and an outer-layer triangle according to the atleast three types of topography depths with different gradients, theplurality of regions are covered by the transparent electrode layer, anda slit design is reserved on the transparent electrode layer.
 6. Thedisplay panel according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of regionswith different penetration rates are classified into at least threetypes of topography depths with different gradients and a pixelstructure of the plurality of regions is divided into an inner-layerrectangle, a middle-layer rectangle, and an outer-layer rectangleaccording to the at least three types of topography depths withdifferent gradients, the plurality of regions are covered by thetransparent electrode layer, and a slit design is reserved on thetransparent electrode layer.
 7. The display panel according to claim 1,wherein the protective layer has an exposed region exposing the firstsubstrate, and a part of the transparent electrode layer is formed inthe exposed region.
 8. An LCD panel, comprising: a first substrate; asecond substrate; an LC layer formed between the two substrates; aplurality of pixel units, formed on the first substrate; a protectivelayer, formed on the first substrate, wherein the protective layer hasdifferent thicknesses in each of the pixel units so that at least twotransparent regions having different thicknesses are formed in each ofthe pixel units and each of the pixel units has a plurality of regionswith different penetration rates; and a transparent electrode layer,formed on the transparent regions having different thicknesses of theprotective layer; wherein the protective layer has a first thickness anda second thickness, and a thickness difference between the firstthickness and the second thickness is equal to or greater than 1 um;wherein the plurality of regions with different penetration rates areclassified into at least three types of topography depths with differentgradients and the plurality of regions are covered by the transparentelectrode layer, and a slit design is reserved on the transparentelectrode layer; wherein the protective layer has an exposed regionexposing the first substrate, and a part of the transparent electrodelayer is formed in the exposed region; wherein the LC layer formedbetween the two substrates has at least three types of optical pathdifferences.
 9. An LCD apparatus, comprising: a backlight module; and adisplay panel, comprising, a first substrate; a plurality of pixelunits, formed on the first substrate; a protective layer, formed on thefirst substrate, wherein the protective layer has different thicknessesin each of the pixel units so that at least two transparent regionshaving different thicknesses are formed in each of the pixel units; anda transparent electrode layer, formed on the transparent regions havingdifferent thicknesses of the protective layer.
 10. The LCD apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the protective layer has a first thicknessand a second thickness, and a thickness difference between the firstthickness and the second thickness is equal to or greater than 1 um. 11.The LCD apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the pixel unitshas a plurality of regions with different penetration rates.
 12. The LCDapparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the pixel unitscomprises a first transparent region comprising four main transparentregions, a second transparent region comprising four secondarytransparent regions, and a third transparent region comprising fourtertiary transparent regions.
 13. The LCD apparatus according to claim11, wherein the plurality of regions with different penetration ratesare classified into at least three types of topography depths withdifferent gradients and a pixel structure of the plurality of regions isdivided into an inner-layer rhombus, a middle-layer rhombus, and anouter-layer triangle according to the at least three types of topographydepths with different gradients, the plurality of regions are covered bythe transparent electrode layer, and a slit design is reserved on thetransparent electrode layer.
 14. The LCD apparatus according to claim12, wherein the plurality of regions with different penetration ratesare classified into at least three types of topography depths withdifferent gradients and a pixel structure of the plurality of regions isdivided into an inner-layer rectangle, a middle-layer rectangle, and anouter-layer rectangle according to the at least three types oftopography depths with different gradients, the plurality of regions arecovered by the transparent electrode layer, and a slit design isreserved on the transparent electrode layer.
 15. The LCD apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the protective layer has an exposed regionexposing the first substrate, and a part of the transparent electrodelayer is formed in the exposed region.